If I have made clear the conditions which our young friend had to face, some deception on his part will be justified. As has been said, the wording of the “Warning” posted on the door of the workshop proved that the inventor’s real aim was to throw his pursuer off his track and end pursuit by him. If the Professor could be made to believe he had done this, he would use all the time necessary to complete his preparations for his stupendous aerial voyage.
These thoughts filled the brain of Harvey on his return to the Washington House in the little town of Dawson. Stepping upon the porch and seeing nothing of the landlord, he passed inside, where he came upon him seated in his big armchair, slowly puffing his briarwood.
“Will you let me know the amount of my bill?” was the guest’s first greeting.
It was not necessary for the innkeeper to consult his books, and without rising from his chair he answered:
“Supper, breakfast and lodging is two dollars.”
Harvey handed him the exact amount, and the landlord folded and tucked the bill into his waistcoat pocket.
“Going back to New York?” he grunted, disposed to relax now that he was about to lose a guest.
“I’m going to New Jersey where I live. I walked out to Professor Morgan’s place, only to find a notice posted on the door to the effect that he had gone away for several weeks. So what’s the use of my loitering about here for all that time?”
“What the Professor says you can depend on. If you come back in a fortnight, you mought git sight of him, but there’s no sense in coming afore that time.”
“So it would seem. Have you seen anything of him lately?”